Ospreys team to play Leinster

The Ospreys team to play Leinster at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 12th October, KO 6.00pm, is as follows:

15 Richard Fussell

14 Ben John

13 Andrew Bishop

12 Ashley Beck

11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Tito Tebaldi

1 Duncan Jones

2 Richard Hibbard

3 Adam Jones

4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

5 James King

6 Ryan Jones

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Joe Bearman

REPLACEMENTS

16 Scott Baldwin

17 Ryan Bevington

18 Aaron Jarvis

19 Tyler Ardron

20 Sam Lewis

21 Tom Habberfield

22 Matthew Morgan

23 Jeff Hassler

Tyler Ardron and Jeff Hassler will make their Heineken Cup debuts if they come off the bench

Head Coach Steve Tandy said:

“It’s been a good preparation week for us and we’re all really looking forward to Saturday as a group. It’s an exciting time for anybody involved with rugby, as a player, coach or supporter, as the Heineken Cup always brings with it great contests, excitement and drama, and we are itching to get started.

“We know what Leinster will bring to us as familiar foes from the PRO12 but you can’t underestimate what they have achieved in Europe over the last five years. They’ve got a fantastic record and have quality right through the squad, including five 2013 Lions. It really doesn’t get much tougher.

“After disappointing a big crowd last weekend, we have to move up several levels on Saturday night. We’ve got big game players in the group who I know will respond to the challenge, and it’s important that they’ve got another big crowd behind them to feed off.

“It’s going to be the biggest crowd of the season which is fantastic news. We need them to generate a special Liberty atmosphere. We’ve had some great European nights there over the years and this can be right up there on the list if we get it together, on and off the field. It should be a pretty special occasion.”